Following last Friday’s 1.2% increase, the equity of Malta International Airport plc edged 0.5% higher at the start of the week at the stock exchange, closing at a new all-time high of €2.05. The share price had reached that level during the session of 22 May but had closed lower since. The upturn in MIA’s equity reflects the record passenger traffic passing through the terminal with an increase of 9% during the first five months of the year.

The MSE Share Index was marginally unchanged at a 2-year high of 3,411 points. Various equities were active but trading volumes were particularly low. The gains registered in HSBC Bank Malta plc (+0.4% to €2.74), FIMBank plc (+0.5% to USD1.03) and MIA were sufficient to offset losses across other equities.

The share price of Island Hotels Group Holdings plc was once again volatile and dropped by 5.3% to €0.54 on volumes of 22,000 shares. The company is due to publish its April 2013 interim results next week.

RS2 Software plc eased minimally lower from last Friday’s record close of €1.275. The equity shed 0.4% to €1.27 on weak volumes following the strong upturn last week in response to the news revealed at the Annual General Meeting that the investor interested in acquiring not less than 10% of the Company’s outstanding shares, is a large bank based in the UK.

Also among the negative performers was GO plc with a decline of 1.7% to €1.51 on a single trade of 500 shares. Meanwhile, Bank of Valletta plc held on to the €2.28 level also on very low volumes.

On the bond market, the Rizzo Farrugia MGS Index edged slightly higher as long-term Malta Government Stock prices rose reflecting the movement in Eurozone yields which remained below the 1.55% level.

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